Chapter 70: Flattered
He smiled awkwardly, and to avoid making it worse, Yan Xi decisively chose to shut up.
Yan Bei, who had secretly breathed a sigh of relief, met her still apologetic and nervous gaze, and his voice unconsciously lowered a few more degrees, “Just like you said.”
“Alright.”
The injury was on his body and the pain was in his heart. Since the person involved said so, Su Ning wouldn’t dwell on it further; she could naturally promise and fulfill what she said.
It was just taking responsibility. At worst, she could mix in some special ingredients for him later to help his injured ribs recover sooner!
In less than half an hour’s drive, after registering at the gate, Su Ning and Yan Bei arrived downstairs at the Yan Family home.
Sunflowers were planted in the yard of the three-story small building. July was the peak blooming season, with large yellow round disks proudly shaking their heads freely under the bright sunshine.
“My mom likes sunflower seeds. Big Devil… cough, my dad planted a whole patch for her in February or March this year.”
Seeing her looking at the sunflowers in the yard, Yan Xi explained.
Unlike the flowers and plants in other households, or at least some fruit trees and ridges of edible vegetables, their family planted according to Ms. Xiang’s preferences, changing almost every year.
He remembered one Dragon Boat Festival eve when Ms. Xiang suddenly got the idea and had the Big Devil King fill the yard with mugwort!
They were already used to it. Even if man-eating flowers grew in the yard someday, given the Big Devil King’s doting on his wife, it wouldn’t be surprising at all.
Holding her hand, Yan Xi led her into the room. What was so interesting about all those big yellow heads in the yard!
In the future, she would also have her future childhood sweetheart plant a yard full of thorny roses. That would be beautiful.
“Come on, Ning Ning, let’s go in. The family members are probably all back by now!”
Yan Bei, following behind, stopped his steps and looked at the golden sunflowers in the yard.
He remembered that Su Ning’s home also had many flowers, plants, fruit trees, and vines that had already climbed all over the walls. She said the two kinds of flowers were especially beautiful when they bloomed, particularly during rain and wind.
He especially remembered the expression on her face when she said that.
She liked beautiful flowers?
No, it should be that moment when the flowers swayed and scattered beautifully in the wind and rain.
So the always smiling person was actually sentimental deep down?
“Yan Xiao Qi, what are you spacing out for? Come in quickly!”
“Mm, coming.”
Unaware that someone was trying to read and deeply analyze him, the moment Su Ning stepped through the Yan Family gate, several scrutinizing gazes focused on her.
The Yan Family members, who had been sitting on the sofa waiting eagerly, all lit up and stood up almost simultaneously.
Ms. Xiang smiled while subtly scanning around with her peripheral vision: east, southeast, south—nothing missed, all cleaned up, right?
“Ning Ning, let me introduce you. This is my grandfather and grandmother, dad and mom, older brother and second brother.”
“Grandpa Yan, Grandma Yan, Uncle and Aunt, Yan Big Brother and Yan Second Brother, hello. I’m Yan Bei’s friend Su Ning.”
Su Ning smiled generously and, following Yan Xi’s introductions, greeted everyone one by one, placing the fruit gift box in her hand on the tea table.
“Aiyoyo, what a pretty girl!”
Old Master Yan and his wife relaxed the wrinkles on their faces, smiling especially kindly. They liked her polite and well-behaved appearance more and more the more they looked.
“You came, why bring gifts? No need to be so formal next time. Ning Ning, can I call you that like West Yatou does?”
Seeing her nod sweetly without any reluctance, Old Master Yan continued in his loud voice, trying to sound gentle.
“Ning Ning, speaking of which, you’re Xiao Qi’s benefactor. We can’t thank you enough. We old folks don’t know what you young people like, so we hope you don’t mind the little trinket we old couple prepared for you.”
Grandma Yan nodded with a smile. Though her hair was full of silver threads, her still elegant eyebrows and eyes showed she had been a great beauty in her youth.
Like fine wine that improves with age, the passage of time only made her richer, etching a unique charm.
If her maternal grandmother were still around, she would probably be like her.
With such a sigh in her heart, Su Ning smiled even sweeter at the old folks she had taken a liking to at first sight.
Until she took a thoroughly green bracelet from the small box in her hand and was about to put it on her wrist, she suddenly snapped awake and refused repeatedly.
Could an imperial green jadeite bracelet that could be an heirloom be just a little trinket?
“No, this is too precious. Grandpa Yan, Grandma Yan, I can’t accept it!”
“Why not? Can this thing be more precious than my Xiao Qi’s life? Besides, you can’t refuse a gift from elders!”
While she was refusing with the old man, Grandma Yan seized her hand and slipped the bracelet on. She joyfully glanced at her equally excited daughter-in-law: It’s settled now!
Ms. Xiang secretly gave a thumbs up to her mother-in-law: With the heirloom on, the daughter-in-law can’t run away now, right?
“Ning Ning, just listen to the two elders. Bei Bei’s life is far more precious than these worldly possessions.”
Yan Family men were romantics. Going up generations, they only got more doting on their wives, never producing any heartless ones.
They didn’t move unless they did, but once they fell for someone, it was for life.
So when they learned their youngest son had special feelings, they were so excited. This meant Yan Bei had found the one for life.
Not to disparage her own son, but a guy who maxed out both IQ and looks finally took a liking to one— if she got away, he deserved to be single forever!
With those thoughts in her mind, Xiang Mingyu didn’t delay coming before her. “This is a meeting gift from your aunt. Ning Ning, take it quickly.”
“First time meeting, a small gift. I hope you like it, Su Ning.”
“This is from second brother. He doesn’t know how to pick things you ladies like. Forgive him, forgive him!”
“And me, and me! Ning Ning, this is from Yan Sister. You must accept it—no refusing!”
“I…”
Before she could even say her refusal, the Yan Family members quickly stuffed everything into her arms and bounced far away.
Yes, bounced!
The kind where she couldn’t even react or grab a sleeve!
It left Su Ning amused and exasperated. On second thought, she had plenty of good stuff. When leaving, she could exchange for gifts of similar value, better than actually tussling with them.
Having figured it out, she no longer refused the Yan Family’s good intentions. “Thank you, Grandpa Yan and Grandma Yan. Thank you everyone for the gifts. I like them very much.”
“Aiyo, that’s right~ Hahahaha, this yatou is straightforward and generous—right up my alley!”
“Cough cough~”
“Cough!”
Several coughs sounded. Suddenly remembering what they said before she arrived, the overexcited Old Master Yan felt a bit embarrassed: Oh no, his loud voice wouldn’t have scared her, right?
As if seeing his embarrassment, Su Ning’s smile didn’t diminish. “Grandpa Yan has a bold personality, just like my Old Master.”
“Oh? That’s great! Where’s your grandfather? When there’s a chance, we should meet. From what you say, us old brothers would definitely get along!”
“Hehe, Grandpa Fu is in Beijing City. I think you’d definitely hit it off.”
“Beijing City, huh… No problem, there’ll be that day! Hahahaha~”
At this moment, Old Master Yan had no idea that this hint would soon have a double meaning.
The smile deep in her eyes faded a bit, tinged with some obscurity.
Lowering her head, she glanced at the bracelet on her wrist. The moment Grandma Yan touched her hand, her mind unexpectedly foresaw the Yan Family’s future.
“Ning Ning, are you hungry? The meal is already on the table, just waiting for you two. Shall we eat dinner first?”
Yan Bei, always paying attention to her, noticed her change in emotion right away. Fearing the family’s enthusiasm was too much, he immediately gave Ms. Xiang a look.
Ms. Xiang nodded understandingly and smoothly interjected, “Dad, what do you think? The meal will get cold soon.”
“Yes, yes, look at me, senile. Come on, let’s eat!”
“Ning Ning is from Beijing City, now in Xiangnan, and hasn’t tried authentic Shanghai City dishes yet, right? Sister-in-law Quan specially made a big table of our local specialties. You must eat more today!”
Su Ning, who had just stuffed herself full with Little Round Circle in the space before coming: ……
First, put away those thoughts and face the difficult problem before her.
Sure enough, once seated, the enthusiastic Yan Family members all picked up chopsticks to serve her dishes until her bowl was piled high and couldn’t hold more, yet they still looked unsatisfied.
The second person to receive such care switched to Yan Bei.
The two exchanged a helpless smile and, under great pressure, each buried their heads and ate diligently.
